Whatever you do, DON'T GO TO CALIFORNIA. I hate it here. I can't wait to leave.
As far as gun laws, the only cool gun you can get here is an M1A. I have one and I love it. I also paid a premium because nobody had the one I wanted except the local place which charges MSRP or more. Can't have an AR (except one of those stupid break open models), and can't have any of the cool guns coming out (PS90, FN FS2000, SCAR, etc.).
The sheeple rule here. I'm sure there are sheeple everywhere, but at least in the Red states they know to keep their mouth shut. The outdoors are nice, but it's nothing you can't find in any other state, and the hunting sucks on public land (There's some great private land, but it's gonna be expensive). The beach is okay, if you like swimming in cold water. If you like the big city, Hollywood and LA are nice places to hang out too. Just so happens, I hate the big city.
California sucks. Period. It sucks. It's horrible. I HATE IT.